the leadership transfer

The Leadership Dilemma: Jimmy Long’s new book, The Leadership Jump, (Inter Varsity Press), is an attempt to assist the church in its current dilemma with the struggle to transfer leadership to the younger generation of emerging leaders. I suggest that this dilemma is not just due to the fact that a leadership transfer must occur sooner than later, but that leadership style is changing. The sense of urgency results in panic and agitation. Two different approaches or philosophies result in confusion and conflict. As a result, trust, co-operation, and partnership are subverted by suspicion, competition, and even paranoia.

The Leadership Shift: Long points out that leadership now is less about directing followers to a particular destination and more about empowering others on a shared journey. As well, leadership authority is no longer derived from positional status but is earned from relational credibility.

The Implications? New leaders will rise, if not in our existing institutional structures, in fresh innovative models for spiritual community. Traditional churches must adjust to have any chance for survival. Existing leaders cannot afford to write off emerging leaders because they work differently. Nor can younger leaders dismiss the contributions of those who have gone before.